TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED ENCLOSURE FOR CONTROLLING BATTERY PACK TEMPERATURE
A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/776,623, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/798,583, filed on Jan. 30, 2019, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
SUMMARYEmbodiments described herein provide a temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging battery packs. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below zero, the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.
Temperature controlled enclosures described herein include a port configured to receive a battery pack, a temperature control device configured to modify an ambient temperature within the enclosure, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to determine whether the battery pack is received in the port, receive a signal from the battery pack, the signal including at least one of a temperature signal and a charge enable signal, and control the ambient temperature within the enclosure using the temperature control device based on the signal received from the battery pack.
Methods described herein for controlling a temperature within an enclosure include determining, using an electronic controller, when a battery pack is received in a port, receiving, using the electronic controller, a signal from the battery pack, the signal including at least one of a temperature signal and a charge enable signal, and controlling, using a temperature control device, the temperature within the enclosure based on the signal.
Temperature controlled enclosures described herein include a plurality of ports with each port of the plurality of ports being configured to receive a battery pack, a control device configured to modify an ambient temperature within the enclosure, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to determine whether the battery pack is received in a port of the plurality of ports, receive a signal from the battery pack, the signal including at least one of a temperature signal and a charge enable signal, and control the ambient temperature within the enclosure using the temperature control device based on the signal received from the battery pack.
Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.
In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers” and “computing devices” described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.
Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
The temperature controlled enclosure 100 also includes a power input terminal 115. In some embodiments, the power input terminal 115 is an AC power input terminal. In other embodiments, the power input terminal 115 is a DC power input terminal or includes a battery pack interface for receiving one or more battery packs. The upper housing portion 110 includes an interface 120 that is configured to allow the temperature controlled enclosure 100 to physically engage or mate with one or more additional devices that have a complimentary interfaces.
With reference to
With reference to a device 200 (e.g., a component of a modular tool storage system) having a bottom member 205 as illustrated in
Each of the wings 140 of the connection recesses 125 corresponds to and is configured to cooperate with a corresponding one of the channels 220 of the projection 210 received by the respective connection recess 125. In the disconnected position, the projections 210 are oriented within the connection recesses 125 such that the open ends 225 of the channels 220 are nearer to the wings 140 than the closed ends 230. Once in the disconnected position, the bottom member 205 may slide relative to the upper housing portion 110 parallel the longitudinal axis A in a first direction toward the wings 140 such that the wings 140 are received within the channels 220 in a second, interfaced or connected position. The wings 140 and the projections 210 engage within the connection recesses 125 to interface and connect the bottom member 205 with the upper housing portion 110 and prevent disconnection of the bottom member 205 from the upper housing portion 110, except in a second direction opposite the first direction and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The wings 140 and the channels 220 engage one another perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the upper housing portion 110 includes a locking aperture for inhibiting disconnection of the device 200 from the temperature controlled enclosure 100.
A controller 300 for the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is illustrated in
The controller 300 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 300 and/or temperature controlled enclosure 100. For example, the controller 300 includes, among other things, a processing unit 330 (e.g., a microprocessor, electronic controller, electronic processor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory 335, input units 340, and output units 345. The processing unit 330 includes, among other things, a control unit 350, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 325, and a plurality of registers 360 (shown as a group of registers in
The memory 335 is a non-transitory computer readable medium and includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as a ROM, a RAM (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, etc.), EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit 330 is connected to the memory 335 and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory 335 (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory 335 (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the temperature controlled enclosure 100 can be stored in the memory 335 of the controller 300. The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller 300 is configured to retrieve from the memory 335 and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and methods described herein. In other constructions, the controller 300 includes additional, fewer, or different components.
As shown in
The one or more temperature sensors 320 include one or more thermistors or other temperature sensors that are operable to monitor a temperature within the temperature controlled enclosure 100 (e.g., an ambient temperature in the internal cavity 145), a temperature of one or more battery packs, a temperature of one or more charging ports 150, 155, etc. The one or more temperature sensors 320 provide output signals (e.g., temperature output signals) to the controller 300. Based on these control signals, the controller 300 determines the ambient air temperature within the temperature controlled enclosure 100, the temperature of one or more battery packs, the temperature of one or more charging ports 150, 155, etc. The controller 300 is configured to control the operation of the temperature control device 315 to regulate the temperature of the internal cavity 145 of the temperature controlled enclosure 100 and charge one or more battery packs.
The power input circuit 325 includes the power input terminal 115. As previously described, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 can be powered by AC power (e.g., AC mains power) or DC power (e.g., a battery pack). In some embodiments, a DC power source (e.g., a battery pack) powers an inverter which then provides AC power to the power input terminal 115. In some embodiments, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is configured to operate using approximately 150 Watts of power. For example, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 using 150 Watts of power is able to maintain a predetermined or desired ambient temperature in the internal cavity 145 of the temperature controlled enclosure 100 when an ambient air temperature external to the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is approximately minus 20° C. In some embodiments, the predetermined or desirable ambient temperature in the internal cavity 145 of the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is between approximately 20° C. and approximately 30° C. In such a configuration, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is operable to raise the temperature of a battery pack that is at a temperature of minus 20° C. to 0° C. in approximately ninety minutes. In some embodiments, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 also includes a burst mode in which an ambient temperature of the internal cavity 145 is increased to approximately 50° C. and the temperature of any battery packs within the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is increased more quickly. In such embodiments, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 is configured to operate using approximately 265 Watts of power.
To increase the efficiency of the temperature controlled enclosure 100, the temperature controlled enclosure 100 can also be insulated.
After STEP 520, the controller 300 operates the temperature control device 315 to control the ambient temperature in the internal cavity 145 of the temperature controlled enclosure 100 (STEP 525). When the temperature control device 315 is operated, the controller 300 can set a timer such that the temperature control device 315 is operated for a predetermined or desired amount of time (STEP 530). After the timer is set at STEP 530, the controller 300 determines if the temperature of the battery pack is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold value (e.g., 0° C.) (STEP 535). If the battery pack temperature is not greater than or equal to the temperature threshold value, the controller 300 compares the timer to a timer threshold value (e.g., 90 minutes) (STEP 540). If the timer is not greater than or equal to the timer threshold value, the process 500 returns to step 530. If, at STEP 535, the battery pack temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold value, or, at STEP 540, the timer is greater than or equal to the timer threshold value, the process 500 proceeds to STEP 545 where the temperature control device 315 is disabled, and the battery pack is charged (STEP 550). In some embodiments, the temperature control device 315 is not disable at STEP 545 and continues to be operated when a battery pack is being charged.
Thus, embodiments described herein provide, among other things, a temperature controlled enclosure for charging one or more battery packs.
Claims
1. A temperature controlled enclosure comprising:
- a port configured to receive a battery pack;
- a first insulating layer corresponding to an outer material layer;
- a second insulating layer corresponding to an inner material layer;
- a third insulating layer positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer;
- a temperature control device configured to modify an ambient temperature within the enclosure; and
- an electronic controller configured to: determine whether the battery pack is received in the port, receive a signal from the battery pack, the signal including at least one of a temperature signal and a charge enable signal, and control the ambient temperature within the enclosure using the temperature control device based on the signal received from the battery pack,
- wherein the temperature controlled enclosure includes a thermal resistance value between 1.0 and 2.0.
2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to:
- determine whether a temperature control switch is set to ON.
3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to:
- determine a temperature of the battery pack based on the signal.
4. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to:
- compare the temperature of the battery pack to a temperature threshold value;
- disable the temperature control device when the temperature of the battery pack is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold value; and
- charge the battery pack.
5. The enclosure of claim 4, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to:
- set a timer indicating a period of time during which the temperature control device is activated;
- compare the timer to a timer threshold value; and
- disable the temperature control device when the timer is greater than or equal to the timer threshold value.
6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the temperature control device includes a thermoelectric cooling device.
7. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the temperature control device includes a resistive heating element.
8. The enclosure of claim 1, the enclosure further comprising:
- a lower housing portion; and
- an upper housing portion configured to engage the lower housing portion,
- wherein the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion create an air-tight seal.
9. A temperature controlled enclosure comprising:
- a plurality of ports, each port of the plurality of ports configured to receive a battery pack;
- a first insulating layer corresponding to an outer material layer;
- a second insulating layer corresponding to an inner material layer;
- a third insulating layer positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer;
- a temperature control device configured to modify an ambient temperature within the enclosure; and
- an electronic controller configured to: determine whether the battery pack is received in a port of the plurality of ports, receive a signal from the battery pack, the signal including at least one of a temperature signal and a charge enable signal, and control the ambient temperature within the enclosure using the temperature control device based on the signal received from the battery pack,
- wherein the temperature controlled enclosure includes a thermal resistance value between 1.0 and 2.0.
10. The enclosure of claim 9, the enclosure further comprising:
- a lower housing portion; and
- an upper housing portion configured to engage the lower housing portion.
11. The enclosure of claim 10, wherein the upper housing portion includes a recess configured to receive a projection from a complementary interface of a modular tool storage system.
12. The enclosure of claim 9, wherein a first port of the plurality of ports is configured to receive a first battery pack type, the first battery pack type including a first output voltage.
13. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein a second port of the plurality of ports is configured to receive a second battery pack type, the second battery pack type including a second output voltage, the second output voltage different from the first output voltage.
14. The enclosure of claim 9, further comprising:
- an indicator associated with the port of the plurality of ports, the indicator configured to indicate a charging status of the battery pack received in the port.
15. A temperature controlled enclosure comprising:
- an internal cavity;
- a port within the internal cavity and configured to receive a battery pack;
- a first insulating layer corresponding to an outer material layer;
- a second insulating layer corresponding to an inner material layer;
- a third insulating layer positioned between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer; and
- a temperature control device configured to modify an ambient temperature within the internal cavity,
- wherein the temperature controlled enclosure includes a thermal resistance value between 1.0 and 2.0.
16. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the first insulating layer includes a thermal resistance value of approximately 0.025.
17. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the second insulating layer includes a thermal resistance value between 1.0 and 1.5.
18. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the third insulating layer includes a thermal resistance value between 1.25 and 1.3.
19. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the first insulating layer is composed of a plastic.
20. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the second insulating layer is composed of a reflective insulation.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2022
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2022
Patent Grant number: 11605850
Inventors: Matthew R. Polakowski (Greenfield, WI), Kyle C. Fassbender (Brookfield, WI)
Application Number: 17/673,391